China criticizes Stoltenberg statement on stance in Ukraine war
Published: Tuesday, Jun 18th 2024, 13:10
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China has sharply criticized NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg's statement that Beijing may have to bear the costs of its stance in the Ukraine war. Nato should reflect on itself instead of arbitrarily resenting China.
Foreign Office spokesman Lin Jian said this in Beijing on Tuesday. In a speech during a visit to the USA, Stoltenberg had accused China of trying to give the impression to the outside world that it was holding back in the conflict in order to avoid sanctions and keep trade going.
"But the reality is that China is fueling the biggest armed conflict in Europe since the Second World War," said Stoltenberg. At the same time, however, Beijing wants to maintain good relations with the West. "Well, Beijing can't have it both ways," he said. At a certain point, the allies would have to demand costs if China did not change its course, said the Norwegian.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry emphasized that China was not the cause of the war. Beijing is considered Moscow's strongest ally because it is backing Russia in its war of aggression through its supposedly neutral stance on the international stage. China had canceled the recent peace conference in Switzerland, but emphasized that it is committed to talks to end the conflict.
The US has already sanctioned several Chinese companies because, in Washington's view, they supplied Russia with important technology for arms manufacturing and thus for the war. China is calling on "relevant parties" to stop apportioning blame and adding fuel to the fire, and instead to take serious concrete steps towards a political settlement of the crisis, said Lin.
©Keystone/SDA
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